Here is a secret: why do some local shops attract customers? The answer is that online reviews can make or break a small business in today's digital-first world. Here's the catch: Satisfied customers often exit your store silently, while dissatisfied ones eagerly voice their complaints online. To thrive in today's digital marketplace, motivating content customers to share their positive experiences is crucial. As a store owner, you may ponder effective strategies to encourage happy patrons to spread the word about your business in the digital realm.
Enter the review plaque - a simple yet effective tool that may help.
What Are Review Plaques?
Review plaques are small, smart devices that sit on your counter. They allow customers to quickly leave reviews for your business with a simple phone tap.
How Do They Work - Local SEO?
The process is straightforward:
- As a customer completes their purchase.
- You ask about their shopping experience in your shop.
- If they're satisfied, you invite them to leave Customer feedback
- Ask them to tap their mobile on the review plaque if they agree.
- Their phone opens your Google or Facebook review page
- Your customer can now immediately write a review on the spot
It's that simple!
The Impact of Review Plaques
Recent studies here have shown impressive results:
One retailer reported jumping from an average of one review per month to a whopping 18 reviews! I am sure it improved their Google My Business ratings.
Pros and Cons
Let's break down the advantages and potential drawbacks:
Pros:
Local, authentic reviews - Google and Facebook do not like it if you use fake reviews. Online, they can be ruthless. I had a client thrown right down Google ranking for doing just that.
Limited to in-store use - If they leave the shop, the customer cannot use them.
Cons:
Some customers may be too busy; after all, they are shopping.
Cost-effective
Takes counter space
Timely feedback
Possible customer pushback
Cost
They're relatively inexpensive, ranging from $20 to $80. For the best results, I recommend investing in a quality plaque around the $40 mark - after all, it'll be front and centre on your counter!
The Bigger Picture: Local SEO and Customer Trust
In a world where consumers often search for "newsagent near me" or "pet shop near me," positive reviews can significantly impact your visibility and credibility. Review plaques offer a simple way to encourage satisfied customers to share their experiences, potentially drawing in new shoppers who trust the opinions of their neighbours.
It works for much more than just these industries; for example, I would want to push "POS System near me" or "POS Software near me."
Ready to Give It a Go?
If you decide to try a review plaque in your shop, we'd love your results! Local SEO strategies like this can make a real difference to small retailers, and we're always eager to learn from our customers' experiences.
Have you used review plaques in your shop? Please, you must share your experiences!
